Feared superweeds not so super after all

THE debate over genetically modified crops has been one of extremes. In Europe, fears that such plants would wreak environmental havoc triggered an almost hysterical backlash against their use. In the US, the debate was so muted one might be forgiven for not noticing that the country has become the world's GM breadbasket.

The latest study into GM crops, however, may give some Americans pause. Research published by Krishna Reddy of the US Department of Agriculture's Southern Weed Science Research Unit in Stoneville, Missouri, details the emergence of 15 weed species resistant to glyphosate, the weedkiller used in conjunction with the first and most abundantly grown generation of GM crops (Outlooks on Pest Management, DOI: 10.1564/16aug11).

GM sceptics have long warned that GM crops will encourage "superweeds" that are almost impossible to kill. This could happen either through the transfer of glyphosate-resistance genes from GM crop plants to weeds, or ...

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